Edward j



1 (No Model.)

E. J.v1VIoEVOY'. GUT-0111.' BLo-GK. Y

110,514,018. zPatentedreb. 6,1894.'

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EDWARD J. MCEVOY, OF NEW YORK, lN. Y.

CUT-OUT BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 514,018, dated February 6, 1894.

Application filed July 29. 1893- Serial No. 481,857. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. McEvoY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Cut-Out Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

AMy invention relates to the class of cut ont blocks which are formedin two parts, one of which parts, termed the base block, is adapted to be tlxedly attached to a wall or other support, and to receive and support the main wires and suitable contact plates in circuit therewith,-and the other of which, termed the cap-block, is adapted to be removably applied to the said base-block and to receive and support the terminals ot' tap wires, suitable contact plates adapted to make contact with the contact plates ofthe base block, and fuse Wires each in circuit with one of the tap wire terminals and one of the contact plates,-this construction, as is well known, facilitating and rendering safe the replacing of a burned out fuse by reason of the fact that in such operation the cap-block is removed bodily frorn the base block so that while the burned fuse is being removed and the new one inserted, the cap-block is entirely y out of contact with the main wires. Upon the insertion of the new fuse, the cap block which serves as a carrier for the tap wire terminals and the fuses, is .replaced in position upon the base block to again close the tap circuit, and, the insulating exterior or top 0f the cap block alone being handled by the user in this operation, the possibility of contact between the lingers of the user and the wires is obviated.

It is the object of my invention to provide a out out block of the general character d escribed, with novel and effective devices which serve to both physically connect the cap block to the base block and to electrically connect the tap wires to the main wires.

In the drawings I show,and herein I describe, a good form of a convenient embodiment of my invention, the particular subjectmatter claimed as novel being hereinafter definitely speciiied.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in perspective of my improved cut outblock. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the base block, the cap block being supposed removed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cap block in an inverted position; Fig. 4 is a central vertical sectional elevation of the block, section being supposed on the dotted line .frof Fig 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre-- B B2 are the main wires, and extend through Y the channels b b2 respectively, and C C2 are the base block contact plates, being angular plates, the bodies of which exist within the channels c c2 respectively, and lateral downwardly turned extensions ot' which exist within the recesses d d2. The base block contact plates are to be maintained in circuit with the respective main conductors, and this may be conveniently accomplished by providing the outer extremity of each of said contact plates with 'a binding screw bx, with which respective screws the adjacent main wires may make contact in the usual manner.

e e2 are hook-engaging projections mounted upon the downwardly turned extensions of the base block contact plates, and are, as shown, convenientlyformed as screws entered in said extensions. To enable thek unobstructed advance of said screws the block embodies openings a beneath the contact plates, which openings receive the extremities of the screws.

ff are holes through which pass screws by which the base block is supported in position.

G is the cap block or removable portion of the device, conveniently made of the same material as the base block, the channels of which it covers and incloses.

h h2 are the tap wires shown asextending through an opening g in the cap block, and connected respectively to terminals I I2.

J J2 are the cap block contact plates, each of which consists of a metal plate secured to ICO the inner face of the cap, and provided with a free end bent downward at right angles to the plane of the cap and formed or equipped at its extremity with a hook jx. The inner extremities of the cap block contact plates are respectively provided with binding screws j. The terminals I I2 are shown as each consisting of a plate secured in position by the screws 'e' fix. The tap wires respectively connect each with the screw t' of one ot' the respective terminals.

K K2 are the fuse wires, which connect the terminals with the cap block contact plates, and are shown as connected respectively each as to one end with the screw ix of one of the respective terminals, and as to the other end with the binding screw j' of the adjacent cap block contact plate.

ZZZZ are screws by which the cap block contact plates and terminal plates are secured to the cap block.

The operation of myimproved cutout block will be readily understood: In the application of the cap block to the base block the hookprovided extremities of the cap block contact plates depend into proximity with and hook over the hook engaging projections of the base block contact plates, and, the main wires being normally in circuit with the base block contact plates, as shown especially in Fig. 2, and the tap wires being iu circuit with the cap block contact plates, as shown especially in Fig. 3,the respective tap wires are placed in circuit With the respective main Wires. As will be observed, the cap block and base block contact plates eect both physical and electrical connection between the base block and cap block. The cap block contact plates are secured rigidly to the cap block, and in the initial application of the cap block to the base block said cap block is placed somewhat to one side of its ultimate position, so that the downwardly extending portions of the cap contact plates extend down Within the recesses d d2 and to one side of the hook-engaging projections e' c2 which they face, and the cap is then slid horizontally along the top of the base block a suicient distance to occasion the engaging of the hooks of the cap block contact plates with the hook engaging projections of the base block contact plates.

As will be understood, the cut out block as shown in Fig. l, is neat in appearance and so incloses and overhangs its contained devices as to prevent contact between any of its conducting parts and objects formed of conducting materials in adjacency to which it may be placed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- In combination, a base block adapted to receive main wires and embodying a pair of marginal or lateral recesses which render said block H -shaped in plan, a pair of contact plates mounted on said block, extending respectively into the respective recesses, a pair of hook-engaging projections supported by said plates respectively in the respective recesses, a cap-block provided with a pair of rigid hooks adapted to engage respectively with the respective hook-engaging projections, and tap wire terminals mounted in said cap block, in circuit with said hooks, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto signed my name this 18th day of July, A. D. 1893.

EDWARD J. MCEVOY.

In presence of- F. NORMAN DIXON, JAMES LOUGHRAN. 

